On Aug 6, 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-1 as Bryan Reynolds homered and Roansy Contreras fanned 8, but injuries and moves loom.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
On a perfect August night at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates delivered a much-needed 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, snapping a two-game skid. It was a crisp, fundamental win powered by a dominant performance from starter Roansy Contreras and a go-ahead, two-run blast from Bryan Reynolds. For a few hours, it was everything a fan could ask for. But the win serves as a bittersweet backdrop to the larger, more difficult story unfolding: the ongoing overhaul of the roster and another key player heading to the injured list.
28 steals, 18 doubles, and 9 triples. The stat line for new top prospect Sammy Stafura at Single-A.
The Bucs got on the board early thanks to an RBI double from Oneil Cruz in the 3rd, but the game's decisive moment came in the 6th. With the score knotted 1-1, Bryan Reynolds stepped to the plate and launched his 11th homer of the season into the right-field seats, a two-run shot off Nick Lodolo that gave Pittsburgh the lead for good. Roansy Contreras was magnificent on the mound, carving up the Reds for 6.2 innings while allowing just one run and striking out eight. Jack Suwinski chipped in with a spectacular diving catch in the 8th, and in a poignant final appearance, David Bednar slammed the door in the ninth for his 21st save.
The joy of the win was tempered by tough news. Outfielder Jerar Encarnación is set for an MRI on his right hamstring after injuring it Wednesday, with Manager Don Kelly admitting he's expected to miss 'considerable time.' This blow comes as the reality of the trade deadline sets in. The deals that sent Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Reds and David Bednar to the Yankees are now official, marking the end of an era for two cornerstone players. It's a painful, necessary step in the rebuild, trading proven talent for a chance at a brighter future.
So, what did the Pirates get for their departed stars? A massive infusion of talent into the farm system. The headliner is 20-year-old shortstop Sammy Stafura, acquired from the Reds, whose electric speed and gap power are already turning heads in Single-A. He's joined by catcher Rafael Flores from the Yankees, a defensive standout now at Triple-A, and hard-throwing RHP Jeter Martinez from the Mariners. While their ETAs are still a few years out (2027-2028), these are the names fans will need to get to know. They represent the next wave, the hopeful payoff for the current pain.
Tonight's win was a welcome taste of success, a reminder of what this team can do when the pieces click. But as we await the news on Jerar Encarnación and watch the final games of players like David Bednar, the focus inevitably shifts to the horizon. The road ahead is long, and the promise of players like Sammy Stafura is still years away, but for one night, the Pirates gave us a reason to cheer for the present while we wait for the future.
